Gendarmes in Bamenda have arrested three suspects linked to a series of car thefts. The operation also led to the recovery of four stolen vehicles.
The arrests come as part of a concerted effort by security forces to address rising insecurities in the city.
The Commander of the North West Gendarmerie Legion, Colonel Raymond Boum, declared the operation a success.
He revealing that the recovered vehicles had been seized from their owners at gunpoint in separate incidents.
The stolen cars recovered included a Toyota Camry, Toyota Runz, Mitsubishi, and Mazda.
“This is one of the many operations the forces have been carrying out; we recovered the vehicles after a thorough search,” said Col. Boum.
The operation aligns with new directives from higher command, emphasizing the need to ensure public safety as the year comes to a close.
Col. Boum urged the collaborative population not to hesitate in providing vital information to assist the security services in their efforts.
Among those whose cars were stolen was Melvina (pseudonym), who had her car seized at gunpoint on November 8. She was also kidnapped, and later regained freedom but her car was nowhere to be found until recently.
Another victim, whose only name was revealed as Collins, recounted his ordeal of three men on motorbikes seizing his car at New Road.
Over the weekend, the victims received their car keys and documents from the Gendarme boss, expressing gratitude for the recovery of their vehicles.
“I would like to thank the Gendarmes for recovering my car; I am indeed grateful,” said Collins.
The prevailing insecurities in Bamenda involve various criminal activities, including car theft, indiscriminate shooting into crowds, and aggression.
A resident shared a harrowing experience of being rounded up and robbed by individuals on motorbikes as early as 8 pm.
During a recent security meeting in Santa, Governor Adolf Lele L’Afrique stressed that there would be no hiding place for bandits.
The Defense and security forces confirmed the arrest of three suspects in connection to the car theft, with others still at large.
The city of Bamenda has been grappling with a surge in armed robbery, kidnapping, and killings, compounded by the ongoing armed conflict that has plagued the English-speaking Regions for over six years.
As security forces intensify efforts to address these challenges, the recent arrests represent a positive step toward enhancing public safety in the region.
